Jamelia

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Not to be confused with Jameela Jamil.

Jamelia
Handsworth, Birmingham
, West Midlands, England
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actor
  • television presenter
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2008; div. 2009)​
Children4[1]
Musical career
Genres
Labels
Websitejamelia.com

Jamelia Niela Davis (born 11 January 1981) is a British singer, actor and television personality. She has released three studio albums, each of which has reached the Top 40 in the UK, which collectively have spawned eight UK top-ten singles.

BRIT Award nominations.[6]

Jamelia's professional music career began in 1999, when she released her debut single, "

UK Singles Chart and number one in Australia, where it became platinum certified. She went on to further release another two studio albums, Thank You (2003) and Walk with Me (2006), before leaving Parlophone following a dispute with executives over the release of "No More
", the third offering from Walk with Me.

Jamelia's ten-year-successful career span has led her to becoming a judge on shows such as

All Around the World Productions. She was a panellist on the ITV magazine show Loose Women
from 2013 until 2016.

Early life

Jamelia was born in

CTC Kingshurst Academy, formerly known as the City Technology College.[10]

Career

1999–2001: Early career and Drama

Jamelia was signed to

So High", a collaboration with fellow R&B vocalist Rosita Lynch. The single failed to chart in both the UK and mainland Europe, and did not appear on any of Jamelia's subsequent albums. Following the poor sales of the single, Jamelia left Capitol Records, but was quickly signed up with record company Parlophone, a branch of EMI
.

Taking some time to record her debut

BRIT Awards. Jamelia was nominated for Best British Newcomer, Best British Video and Best British Female.[6]

2003–2005: Thank You and mainstream breakthrough

Jamelia recorded her second studio album,

Superstar", became Jamelia's highest peaking at the time when it peaked at number three, and earned the spot of the 26th best-selling of 2003 in the UK. It remains Jamelia's only single to receive a BPI certification.[12] Parent album Thank You, released shortly after "Superstar", was widely expected to replicate the single's success, but entered the UK chart at number 65. Subsequently, a number of record producers worked with Jamelia on a re-release of the album that featured new artwork and track listing, including two new songs: her collaboration with Coldplay's Chris Martin and DJ K Staveley, "See It in a Boy's Eyes", and "DJ
".

Promoting the re-release, title track "

Kool and the Gang
's "Straight Ahead" for their remix/covers album The Hits: Reloaded.

In mid-2004, Jamelia collaborated with Italian singer Tiziano Ferro on "Universal Prayer" for the 2004 Olympic Games soundtrack. It became her first Number 1 single in Italy and Spain and was added to non-UK editions of Thank You. In late 2004, Jamelia was asked to contribute to the Band Aid 20 charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?", on which she sang with Will Young. The single topped the UK Singles Chart and was certified platinum. Around the same time, Jamelia released the lead single from the soundtrack of the film Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, a cover of Sam Brown's 1988 single "Stop!"; it was released as double A-side in the UK with the aforementioned "DJ", and peaked at number nine.

On 9 November 2006, Jamelia joined Feeder on stage for the encore of Feeder's WAR Child gig at 'The Coronet' in London. They performed a cover of REM's "Everybody Hurts" as well as "Beware of the Dog".

2005–2010: Walk with Me and departure from Parlophone

Jamelia in 2007.

Following the birth of her second daughter, Tiani, in 2005, Jamelia began recording her third album, Walk with Me. Its lead single, "Something About You", was released in late 2006 and described as "less R&B, more experimental", with Popjustice hailing it as "an incredible pop single".[14] The single became Jamelia's first to enter the charts solely on download sales alone, debuting at number 28, rising to number nine almost a month later following the physical release. Walk with Me was released shortly after and drew critical praise, with many critics claiming that it marked a significant turn in the singer's career as she moved from R&B to pop/rock.

The album did not emulate the chart success of Thank You, managing to début only at number 20 on the UK Albums Chart. The second single, "Beware of the Dog", features a sample from Depeche Mode's 1989 song "Personal Jesus" and was heavily praised as being Jamelia's best single to date, with BBC Radio 1's "Chart Blog" stating that it "might just be one of the best pop songs ever made" and "the best pop song of the year", receiving a five-star rating.[15] The single became the second consecutive Top 10 effort from the singer's third album, reaching number 10 in the UK. The final single to be released from the album was "No More", which samples The Stranglers' 1981 single "Golden Brown". It made the A-list on BBC Radio 2, but failed to garner much sales success, debuting at number 43.

Walk with Me became Jamelia's second album to receive a BPI certification. After four months of release, it sold more than 100,000 copies and was awarded a Gold disk.[12] However, despite producing two Top 10 singles and garnering mostly positive reviews, Walk With Me had disappointing sales compared to her second album, Thank You, which went on to become certified double platinum.

In an interview with Digital Spy in December 2009, Jamelia said that she wasn't surprised that the album did not sell well. "I probably wasn't in the right frame of mind with Walk With Me... I love all the songs individually, but I don't feel it flows very well as an album, which makes it harder to relate to. It sold well over 100,000 copies – but I want double-platinum every time!"[16]

In late 2007, the singer released a singles collection titled

Superstar - The Hits. The compilation album features 11 of her 14 releases, omitting the 1999 single "So High", Drama singles "I Do" and "Boy Next Door" and the non-UK 2004 release "Universal Prayer". The collection, which only managed to début at number 55 on the UK Album Charts, was criticised for its hastiness, brevity and lack of new tracks or artwork.[17] This proved to be her final album for Parlophone, which she left weeks after the collection's release amid rumours that the sales performance of Walk With Me had been a factor in the decision of the artist and label to part ways, and to release the singles collection.[18]

In an interview with entertainment website

Ustream.tv.[19]
Ultimately, nothing was released

2013–present: Presenting and Hollyoaks

Jamelia in 2019

In 2013 and 2014, Jamelia appeared on two series of The Voice of Ireland as a coach.[20]

In February 2013, Jamelia appeared in an episode of the BBC drama series Death in Paradise, portraying a singer.[21] In 2014, Jamelia modelled a new swimwear range for Boux Avenue. In August 2013, Jamelia was part of a house band on every episode of the BBC One panel show I Love My Country. On 27 November 2013, Jamelia joined the panel of the ITV chat show Loose Women. As of 16 August 2016, she had made 162 appearances. However, she was axed from the show following new contracts being drawn up on 17 August 2016, and did not return for series 21.[22]

In May 2014, she appeared in a TV advertisement for Boux Avenue and sang a cover version of "

thirteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing.[25] She was partnered with professional dancer Tristan MacManus. The pair survived four dance-offs, but lost their fifth dance off in week 9, being voted out by 3 out of 4 judges against Peter Andre and Janette Manrara. In 2016, she returned to acting to appear in an episode of the BBC soap opera Doctors as Helena Wales. Following her appearance, she stated that she wants to return to Doctors.[21]

In 2023, Jamelia joined the cast of

Sharon Bailey.[26] She had previously appeared as herself in 2003, and as Bailey for one episode in 2021.[27][28]

Other projects

In spring 2004, Jamelia was signed by the agency ICM. A week later she was signed as the face and legs of

Harpers & Queen
.

In January 2007, Jamelia launched a new fragrance as part of a campaign to increase awareness of HIV and AIDS. Proceeds from the sale of every bottle of

Boots. On 31 July 2007, Jamelia, Erin O'Connor and Helena Christensen, had teamed up with hairdressing/hair product company Toni & Guy
to promote Model.Me – a hair product created for women with ethnic hair. Jamelia said, "I think it's about time that there was a haircare range specifically designed for ethnic hair available on every high street."

On 18 September 2007, Jamelia co-hosted the

World Aids Day concert. She performed the hit singles "Something About You", "See It in a Boy's Eyes" and "Superstar". On 19 December 2007, she played Cinderella in Channel 4's The Paul O'Grady Show's Christmas Pantomime
.

In January 2008, Jamelia signed a book publishing deal with Orion. Her autobiography,

E4
.

On 7 September 2008, Jamelia guest presented an episode of

Something for the Weekend with Tim Lovejoy. A more recent project is The Really Good School Dinner. Jamelia is supporting the initiative which will see children and young people in England pledging to have a school meal and make a donation to provide some of the world's poorest children with a nutritious meal.[30]

Jamelia starred in an episode of

Nutopia
, in 2010, called The House That Made Me, which took her back to her childhood home, and reintroduced her to the people she had known in her youth.

Jamelia has walked the

Vernon Kay's Gameshow Marathon
.

Personal life

Jamelia taking a selfie with then Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn at a 2019 general election campaign rally in Birmingham. Jamelia endorsed Labour in the 2019 general election

Jamelia revealed that she grew up without her father, due to the fact he was often in and out of prison, and he later rejected her invitation to her wedding.[32]

Jamelia has four daughters. Her first was born in 2001, from a relationship with music manager Terry Wallen, who Jamelia claims was abusive and inspired her song "Thank You".[32][33] In August 2007, Jamelia split from boyfriend Darren Byfield; the couple have a daughter (born 21 October 2005).[34] They were reconciled a couple of months later, and in October 2007 announced their engagement.[35] On 15 June 2008, it was reported the couple had married on the previous day in West Sussex. On 3 November 2009, it was announced that they were filing for divorce.[36] In August 2022, Jamelia announced she was expecting her fourth child.[37]

In 2018, Jamelia blamed TV projects being "taken away" from her on the coverage of her stepbrother, Tafarwa Beckford, who was convicted of a gang-related murder.[38]

In November 2019, Jamelia endorsed the Labour Party in the 2019 UK general election.[39]

Discography

Main article: Jamelia discography
Studio albums

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2000–2009 Never Mind the Buzzcocks Herself - Panellist 5 episodes
2003 Hollyoaks Herself Episode: "#1.1044"
2007 Gameshow Marathon Herself - Contestant Series 2, 6 episodes
2008 Jamelia: Whose Hair Is It Anyway? Herself - Presenter TV film documentary
2008–2013 8 Out of 10 Cats Herself - Panellist 8 episodes
2009 Would I Lie to You? Episode: "#3.3"
Move Like Michael Jackson Herself - Judge 4 episodes (as Jamelia Davis)
Let's Dance for Sport Relief
 		Episode: "#1.2"
2011 Jamelia: Shame About Single Mums Herself - Presenter[40] TV film documentary
2012 The Diamond Heist Cherry Valentine Film (Original title: Magic Boys)[7]
Crime Stories Alice Dixon Episode: "#1.17" (as Jamelia Davis)
Celebrity Chase Herself - Contestant Series 2, Episode 7: "Text Santa Special"
2013 Big Star's Little Star Episode: "#1.1"
Death in Paradise Aimee Fredericks Series 2, Episode 5: "Death Onboard"
I Love My Country Herself - House band singer 8 episodes
2013–2014 The Voice of Ireland Herself - Coach / Judge Series 2 & 3
2013–2016 Loose Women Herself - Regular panellist Series 18–20
2014 Tipping Point: Lucky Stars Herself - Contestant Episode: "#2.7"[41]
2015
All Star Family Fortunes
 		Episode: "Sam Bailey vs. Jamelia"
Strictly Come Dancing Series 13, 21 episodes[42]
Bear Grylls: Mission Survive Herself - Participant 6 episodes[43]
2016 Doctors Helena Wales Episode: "Waste of Shame"
The Diary Detective Inspective Anisa Powell Short film
2018 Pointless Celebrities Herself - Contestant Series 11, Episode: "Christmas Special"
2020 Richard Osman's House of Games Series 3, 5 episodes
2021, 2023–2024 Hollyoaks
Sharon Bailey
 Series regular, 47 episodes
2022 Little Darlings Kate Williams Mini-series, 4 episodes
On Tour: Little Darlings Mini-series, 2 episodes: "Birthday" and "Lucky Charm"
Little Darlings: Songs Mini-series, 2 episodes: "Little Darlings" and "Just a Little"
The Hit List Herself - Contestant Series 5, Episode 9: "Celebrity Special" with Lemar
2023
Celebrity Masterchef
 		Series 18, 6 episodes
2024 Drama Queens Herself Upcoming series[44]
Guest appearances

Awards and nominations

Year Institution Award
Won
2000 MOBO Awards Best Video – "Money"
2004
TMF Awards (Belgium)
 Meest Belovend
2004 Q Awards Best Single – "See It in a Boy's Eyes"
2004 MOBO Awards Best British Female
2004 MOBO Awards Best Single – "Thank You"
2004 MOBO Awards Best Video – "See It in a Boy's Eyes"
2004 Q Awards Best Single – "See It in a Boy's Eyes"
2005 Urban Music Awards Best R&B Act
2007
Eska Awards
 Best Foreign Singer
2007 Urban Music Awards Best R&B Act
Nominated
2001 Brit Awards Best British Video – "Money"
2001 Brit Awards Best British Female
2004 Brit Awards Best British Female
2004 Brit Awards Best British Single – "
Superstar
"
2004
Mercury Music Prize
 Thank You
2004 Smash Hits Poll Winners Party Best R&B Act[49]
2004 MTV Europe Music Awards Best New Act[50]
2004 MTV Europe Music Awards Best UK & Ireland Act
2005 Brit Awards Best British Female
2005 Brit Awards Best British Urban Act
2005 Brit Awards Best British Single – "Thank You"
2005 Ivor Novello Awards Most Performed Work - "Thank You"[51]
2007 Brit Awards Best British Female
2005 NRJ Music Awards International New Artist of the Year
2007 Popjustice £20 Music Prize "Beware of the Dog"
2007 MOBO Awards Best British Female

Tours

  • 2004 Thank You Tour

Jamelia has also been the opening act for artists such as

Usher
as well as her own sold-out tour.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Jamelia introduces her baby girl". hellomagazine.com. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  2. ^ Preece, Ashley (7 November 2018). "This is what mum of victim said when Jamelia claimed killer brother Kairo Beckford was 'a changed man'". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 16 December 2019. Birmingham R&B singer Jamelia has come under severe scrutiny - for defending her killer brother live on TV.
  3. AllMusic
    . Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  4. ^ Murphy, John (24 September 2006). "Jamelia – Walk With Me". MusicOMH. Retrieved 16 December 2019. Jamelia has always been one step ahead of her competition thanks to her winning mix of mix of R&B, hip hop, and pop and finely tuned eye for a great song
  5. ^ "Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  6. ^ a b c "Jamelia". Brits.co.uk. 19 February 2014. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  7. ^ a b c "Jamelia". IMDb.com. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  8. ^ "Series 7, Episode 11: Jamelia". Channel 4 News. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Jamelia: People think I have everything – I don't". Mirror Online. MGN. 21 December 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  10. ^ "Former CTC 'superstar' visits Kingshurst" (PDF). CTC Kingshurst Academy. July 2008. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  11. ^ Paton, Maureen (20 August 2011). "Jamelia: Respect for single mothers!". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  12. ^ a b c Certified Awards Search BPI Archived 1 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ "YATQ at 61 in best selling albums of 2004 in the UK". Morrissey-solo Forums. 1 January 2006. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  14. ^ "100% Solid Pop Music". Popjustice. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  15. ^ "Chart Blog: Jamelia – 'Beware Of The Dog'". BBC Music. 3 December 2006. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  16. ^ a b "Jamelia – TV Interview". Digital Spy. Hearst UK. 11 December 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  17. ^ "iTunes Store". Apple Music. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  18. ^ Lars Brandle (23 April 2007). "Vocalist Jamelia Parts Ways With Parlophone". Billboard. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  19. ^ Love, Ryan (26 July 2010). "Music – News – Jamelia signs new record deal". Digital Spy. Hearst UK. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  20. ^ "Jamelia joins The Voice of Ireland". RTÉ Ten. RTÉ. 29 September 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  21. ^ a b "Jamelia wants to return to Doctors: 'I'd love as much acting experience as possible'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  22. ^ Alex Fletcher (25 November 2013). "Jamelia joins 'Loose Women' panel, promises "feisty opinions"". Digital Spy. Hearst UK. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  23. ^ "I only want to be with Boux (Low)". Vimeo. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  24. ^ "Bear Grylls stars in Mission Survive on ITV". ITV.com. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  25. ^ "Singer Jamelia is Strictly Come Dancing's 12th contestant". The Telegraph. 25 August 2015.
  26. ^ Patterson, Stephen (21 August 2023). "Hollyoaks spoilers: Huge two decade secret confirmed for Sharon Bailey and Felix Westwood". Metro. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  27. ^ "Jamelia". IMDb. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  28. ^ Warner, Sam (7 March 2023). "Hollyoaks return for Jamelia confirmed as she reprises Sharon Bailey role". Digital Spy. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  29. ^ [1] Archived 8 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  30. ^ [2] Archived 19 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  31. ^ JameliaOver FacebookTijdlijnOver Facebook. "Jamelia – CV". Facebook. Retrieved 13 April 2012. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  32. ^ a b "Jamelia: Respect for single mothers!". The Guardian. 20 August 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  33. ^ "Jamelia's star shines even brighter". The Telegraph. 11 June 2004. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  34. ^ "Singer Jamelia has second child". BBC News. 21 October 2005. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  35. ^ "Jamelia and Darren Byfield to divorce". The Telegraph. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  36. ^ "Jamelia heads for divorce court". BBC News. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  37. ^ Davison, Tamara (4 August 2022). "Jamelia feeling 'blessed' as she confirms she's pregnant with fourth child". Evening Standard. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  38. ^ "Jamelia 'dropped' by TV bosses after coverage of murderer stepbrother Tafarwa Beckford". Birmingham Mail. Reach. 17 December 2018.
  39. ^ Speare-Cole, Rebecca (14 November 2019). "General election 2019: Pop stars and actors rally behind Jeremy Corbyn, calling him 'last stand' for England". London Evening Standard. London. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  40. ^ "Jamelia: Shame about Single Mums". BBC Three. 26 September 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  41. ^ "Tipping Point: Lucky Stars Episode 7". ITV Press Centre. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  42. ^ Wightman, Catriona (25 August 2015). "Time for a Superstar: Jamelia is confirmed for the Strictly Come Dancing lineup". Digital Spy. Hearst UK. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  43. ^ Fletcher, Harry (2 February 2015). "Mike Tindall, Jamelia, Max George for Bear Grylls' Mission Survive". Digital Spy. Hearst UK. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  44. ^ "ITV confirms reality series with stars of Coronation Street, Emmerdale". Radio Times. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  45. ^ "Celebrity Squares". ITV Press Centre. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  46. ^ "The Chase - Series 6 Episode 40". Radio Times. Immediate Media. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  47. ^ "Richard Osman's House of Games". BBC. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  48. ^ "Sorry, I Didn't Know'". itv.com. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  49. ^ "smashhits.net - Poll Winner's Party 2004 - Vote". 8 December 2004. Archived from the original on 8 December 2004. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  50. ^ "MTV Europe Awards 2004: The winners". 18 November 2004. Retrieved 27 April 2020 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  51. ^ "Archive | The Ivors | The Ivors Academy | Champions of Music Creators". The Ivors Academy. Retrieved 27 April 2020.

External links

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